Putting Your Kids' Winter Wardrobe Away for the Season

Warmer days are here, and so is one of the great parental rituals: putting away all the winter gear. Snowsuits, coats, hats, mittens, thermal layers — everything that kept your kids warm through months of cold has earned a proper rest. Before you toss it all into a bin and forget about it, here's how to do it right so next season starts without a scramble.

Why It's Worth Doing It Right

It's tempting to just pile everything in a box and move on. But sloppy storage is costly: permanent creasing, musty smells, rusted zippers, damaged fabrics. Spending an hour or two now means those pieces will still be in great shape when October rolls around.

There's also a real financial case to be made. Kids' winter gear is a serious investment. Taking care of it properly means it lasts longer and can be passed down to a younger sibling or resold.

Step 1: Sort Before You Store

Before you pull out the storage bins, do a proper sort. Ask yourself three questions for each item:

1. Does it still fit? Kids grow fast. What worked in November might not make it to September.
2. Is it still in good shape? Check seams, zippers, velcro, and elastic waistbands.
3. Do we actually need it? Some pieces have simply run their course.

Anything that doesn't pass the test can be donated, resold, or recycled. At Deux par Deux, the RELOVE program is designed exactly for that: giving quality pieces a second life.

Step 2: Wash Before You Store

This is the step most of us skip — but washing before storing makes a real difference. Sweat residue, sunscreen, and melted snow left on fabrics can attract insects and set stains that become nearly impossible to remove over time.

A few ground rules:

• Always follow the care label instructions. The Government of Canada's guide to apparel and textile care symbols is a handy reference for decoding technical fabric labels.
• Snowsuits and waterproof coats typically need a cold wash with a gentle detergent and no fabric softener.
• Let everything dry completely before storing. Residual moisture is the number one enemy of stored clothing.

Step 3: Choose the Right Storage Container

No need for anything fancy. What matters is that your storage is clean, dry, clearly labelled, and easy to access.

• Label bins by size or by child so you're not digging through everything come fall to find the right coat.
• If you have multiple kids, keep each child's things together.
• Airtight plastic bins work well for snowsuits and winter coats.
• For more delicate items like knit toques and fleece mittens, breathable fabric bags or sturdy cardboard boxes are a better choice.

What to Avoid

• Unperforated plastic bags for technical fabrics: they trap condensation.
• Hangers for heavy snowsuits: they distort the shoulders over time.
• Storing anything that isn't completely dry: guaranteed odors and mildew.

Step 4: Think Ahead to Next Fall

The end of winter is also the right moment to plan for the season ahead. Take note of what needs replacing, and what sizes your kids will be wearing when the cold comes back.

It's also a great time to browse the kids' winter coats and jackets at Deux par Deux and get a head start on next season's needs. And if you're looking for a full kit, the Snow Shop has everything in one place: snowsuits, accessories, and more. Designed in Montreal and built for Canadian winters.

A Little Effort Now, a Smooth Fall Later

Putting away the kids' winter wardrobe is a bit like closing out the season. You take stock of what worked, figure out what needs refreshing, and set yourself up for a clean start. And best of all, you skip the first-cold-morning panic when nobody can find their mittens.

A couple of hours now, months of peace of mind ahead.